Theo looked like he’d been hit in the head with a concrete block. Twice. “Cadre of wolves?”
“Wasn’t nearly as interesting as when we infiltrated the dragon island. When was that? About thirty years ago?” Benny rubbed his broad jaw, his lips quirking.
Oh, man. Benny couldn’t catch a hint. She pressed her lips together and shook her head at him.
“You don’t remember the dragons?” Benny asked, his brow furrowing.
Theo swallowed. “We’ve just recently discovered that there are dragons and that they live on an invisible island. You two, ah, knew three decades ago that dragons existed?” He looked almost dazed.
Benny laughed again, his rock-hard belly visibly clenching beneath his black shirt. “Obviously. How else would we have stolen the rubies?”
“Rubies.” Theo wavered. “You stole rubies fromdragons.”
“To be fair, they stole them first,” Ginny rushed to say. This was going south and way too quickly. “So, Benny. In town for long?”
Benny chewed on his lip. “Nope. Just came to get my flash drive back.”
She cleared her throat, her stomach churning. “I can’t give it to you, Ben. I’m so sorry. But I made a deal with Saul.”
Benny sighed loudly. Very loudly. “I understand. A deal’s a deal.” He spread his arms out and looked at the three Reese men. “Well? I can’t torture her for information. We’ve been friends for too long. Which one of you is up to the task?”
“Nobody is torturing my mate.” Theo tucked her close into his side. His computer dinged, and he glanced over at it.
Ginny partially turned, not even remotely worried that any of the four males would try to torture her. Please. Theo had to see through his uncle. Benny wouldn’t hurt a woman. Code flashed across the screen. Her breath caught. Theo had cracked the code on Saul’s flash drive.
Good. Now they could finally find something to trade. She moved for it.
Theo held her still. “While nobody is going to torture my mate, I am going to get the information from her.” He pointed toward the laptop, and Chalton nodded, hustling toward it. “Excuse us,” Theo said, drawing her toward the bedroom.
“There you go, Theo,” Benny said agreeably. “I’ll make some sandwiches while you get the info from her. You’d better have roast beef.” He started moving toward the kitchen. “Boys, start plying me with plans to repay me for your destructive last month. I came here to slice off somebody’s head, and I’m not thrilled I don’t get to play today.”
Theo tugged her toward the bedroom.
She stumbled, looking back at the computer. Was he serious? “I’m not going to tell you,” she said, figuring it was only fair to warn him.
“The hell you’re not,” he said grimly, drawing her inside and shutting the door. Hard.
* * * *
Ginny stumbled and then drew free, backing toward the bed. Ice pricked down her back. “Listen, Theo.”
“No. You listen.” He leaned against the door, his arms crossed. His brown hair was mussed, and a fine shadow covered his angled jaw. He looked big and broad and unbeatable. “I’m finished with this bullshit. Tell me where the flash drive is, and I’ll take it to Saul to get your father back.”
Just looking at him made her mouth water. Why was he saying these things? “I can’t. He’s serious.” Her voice trembled. Theo seemed to have lost his mind.
“I’m serious.” He looked implacable, as impenetrable as rock. “I’ll trade what you stole for the flash drive. But I’m done negotiating with you.” Moving for her, he manacled her hair, bringing her up on her toes.
She gasped, panic and anger coursing through her. “Theo, you’re hurting me.”
He blinked and loosened his hold, his voice remaining cold and rough. “I’ll hurt you a lot more if you don’t give in.” Gently, he rubbed her head. Then he winked.
What? Oh. Of course. This was for Saul’s benefit.
She lowered her chin. Well, then. She sniffed and let the tears fall. “Oh, Theo, I just…” She coughed several times, giving it all she had. “I’m so tired and sore. Last night we mated, and I—” Her voice rose in one of her best performances. “I’m just not strong like you.”
He rolled his eyes and drew her close. “Oh, Ginny. I’m so sorry. For a moment, with all the stories, I forgot how delicate you are.” Leaning back, he shook his head, his lip quirking. “You should be protected and cosseted, and that’s my job now.” His eyes rolled so far back, it was a wonder he couldn’t see his brain.
She grinned but forced a couple of hiccups. “I, I just need rest. Just an hour, please? We can talk after that.”
